Gareth, a 42-year-old self-employed builder, said: “We still have a hell of a long way to go, but this is such encouraging news.

“I have always said that she is a little fighter and she is proving it. It will make such a difference if we can get her off the ventilator and if she can eat for herself.

“The doctors are gobsmacked and over the moon and so are we. The beds are like gold dust at Stoke Mandeville and they want her back in six weeks.

“She was institutionalised for the last two Christmas days and we are so pleased to have her back, even if it is in rented accommodation around the corner for the time being.

“We spent the morning on our own with no nurses and carers and I bought her a little two seater battery powered jeep. She has had bags of gifts and the letters and cards have been overwhelming.

“They have been from people we don’t know and have made their way to us via the Royal Mail.

“She is spoilt, but it’s great for our family and friends that she is finally closer to us.

“Cerys and Tracy are becoming local celebrities. Every time they go out they are stopped in the street by people who just want to meet them.

“The reaction has been amazing.

“In Bhs in Sutton Coldfield the staff all came over and the manager even gave her a present.”

In April 21-year-old Antonio Boparan Singh, from Little Aston, was jailed for 21 months after being convicted of dangerous driving.

But he never served a Christmas behind bars and walked free on an early release programme in October after serving just six months for causing the horrific injuries. The heir to an estimated £130 million fortune was driving a powerful Range Rover Sport on the wrong side of the road at more than twice the speed limit.

Cerys is still only in a rented home where she lives in with her nurses, whilst Gareth and Tracy live around the corner.

Their current three-bedroom house is not big enough for all the equipment, and Cerys is sleeping in the living room of the rented house.

The family has now put an offer in on a house near to Sutton Coldfield and they are waiting to hear if that offer will be accepted.

Antonio’s dad, Ranjit Boparan, has agreed to fund any shortfall between money from the insurance company and the cost of the house that Cerys needs.

The Mail joined forces with the Edwards family earlier this year in a bid to change the law.

Gareth and Tracy have already secured 9,775 signatures in an on-line petition calling for tougher dangerous driving sentences and they plan to hand over the petition to Gordon Brown in the New Year.

They are hoping that Mail readers can push them over the 10,000 mark. To back the Cerys Edwards campaign for tougher sentences, visit www.cerysedwards.co.uk. Or write to Cerys Edwards petition, Russell Jones and Walker Solicitors, The McLaren Building, 35 Dale End, Birmingham, B4 7LN.